Chapter 15 #2
“If there’s nothing more I’ve taught you, it’s to always give yourself grace. Your sisters abide by the same rule.”
“Yeah.”
My heart was getting heavier.
“I guess I just miss them.”
“Which is understood. I’m sure they share the same feelings.”
Pivoting was the solution. I headed toward the bedroom where I wanted to fall deep into the sheets. However, there was work to be done. Votes to secure. Adjustments to be made. And a day-long beauty marathon that I wasn’t looking forward to.
“I’m meeting his mother tonight. We have dinner at seven.”
“She’ll love you.”
“I’m not sure that I care if she doesn’t,” I confessed.
Chuckling, my mother choked on her spit.
“Royce.”
“It’s true.”
“I know and that’s what’s hilarious.”
“But, it would be nice and much easier to navigate shared spaces if she does.”
“She will.”
“But if she does–” I joined my mother in laughter. “I have a mother, six sisters, and five whole brothers. There’s more than enough love amongst us.”
“You’re absolutely right, baby.”
“You’re still laughing.”
“Because you are your father’s child.”
“Yeah? How so?”
“He didn’t care, Royce. He didn’t care about much when it came to anyone. He saved all of that energy for the children he created. Aside from Pops, Catherine, Maurice and I… you all were all that he cared to make a good impression on.
His life revolved around your views of him. He moved with all of you in mind. He wanted to be good at three things in life. Co-parenting. Being a husband. And, raising girls. He didn’t care if he sucked at everything else.”
“I don’t believe that’s entirely true. Richie was a perfectionist.”
My father approached everything with his best foot forward.
“He was naturally gifted, Royce. He didn’t have to try for much else. Everything came naturally to him. Perfectionism only applied to things that involved the three things he wanted to be proficient in. To be a good husband, father, and co-parent, he had to be a provider.
“For two households. Sometimes three. That made him approach business differently. It also required him to be a protector. He wasn’t always the calculated man you knew. That’s who he became. And a little more with each birth. Oh Royce,” she breathed. I could hear the smile in your voice.
“Your father was beyond this world. He taught me that a man ready for change will. No coaxing. No asking. No bribing. The desire will consume all else. Your father was enough as he was. Still, he wanted to be more.
“Not just for me but for all of you. And for the woman he knew so well once. Though his heart was with me, he mourned Catherine long before her death. He’d lost someone that meant so much to him to something he couldn’t see. We couldn’t see.
“But all felt the effects of. He wanted to be more for Maurice. He wanted to be more for the boys. He wanted to be more for Pops. And when it all came crashing down, he wanted to be more for Chemistry.”
“How did he handle their deaths?”
“It broke his spirit. I’d never seen my husband so fragile.
Not even before his death. Catherine and Maurice were his friends.
They were my friends. I wouldn’t be exaggerating if I claimed them as the best of friends for us.
That was the first time I seen tears fall from his eyes.
Until Chemistry’s arrest, it was the only time. ”
“Like Rugger.”
“Just like Rugger. Richie lives through that girl. She is everything he was and everything he wasn’t. Psalem is shaping up to be more like them than either of us will be able to grasp.”
“With Psalms and Rugger as his parents, I don’t think he could be any other way.”
“He’s special.”
I agreed.
“I need to spend more time with them.”
“The children?”
“No,” I pushed out a shaky breath. “Mercer, Malachi, Makai, and Milo.”
“You should. I’m sure they’re happy to have you near.”
“It feels–I feel like–”
“Like he’s still around?”
I nodded as if she could see me.
“It doesn’t matter how much time passes. I miss having him around. Sometimes I need that hug.”
“The one he hates?”
“Yes, but can’t resist. That one. And his wisdom. I miss seeing him whenever I needed. Whenever I wanted.”
“He misses it, too. As happy as he is, he’s just as sad. His children are out in the wild without him.”
“His children. Funny, girl.”
“You know he believes you are. I don’t think he knows Richie and I are your parents. I believe we’re surrogates in his mind.”
“That sounds about right.”
“He visited.”
“Of course.”
“Ishmael loves the water, too. He reminds me of Teddy in many ways.”
“So does Priest, Psalms, and Israel. Saint is–”
“Perfect for Rome.”
“Yes. Because, as much as we’d like to believe otherwise, she is too much like him.”
“She’s his baby.”
“She’s his baby,” my mother repeated.
“He wants to win this election fairly.”
“Let him.”
“It won’t work out in his favor if he does. They need him, Mom.”
It wasn’t often I used the term, but it was sweet on my tongue each time I tasted it.
“They don’t always know what’s good for them.”
“His opponent plays dirty. He’s such a fucking pig. He’s going to drain Berkeley of its beauty. My brothers were born here. This is home for them. I can’t watch someone destroy it the way Daniels plans to.”
“Then don’t.”
“The second Ishmael put me on his team, Daniels’ run was over. He’s still here for the plot. Nothing more.”
“That’s the spirit.”
Ding.
Dong.
My brows scrunched as I turned toward the door. As if I could see through the walls, I stared, waiting for the identity of the visitor to magically appear.
“Royce?”
“I’m not expecting anyone.”
I rushed toward the bed, retrieving my weapon in the process. Time was of the essence. I made my way to the kitchen, stopping at the screen displayed on the wall next to the breakfast nook.
Ding.
Dong.
I tapped the doorbell camera. The darkness that followed was alarming. I pressed the microphone icon.
“Unless you want to spend your morning at the morgue, remove your hand from the camera and expose yourself.”
Chuckling followed.
My hand fell from the screen. My Glock sounded against the marble countertop. Pieces of my heart that had been growing heavier with each day were now as light as a feather.
I knew that laugh. It warmed me all over.
“I don’t want to spend my morning at the morgue, sister. I was hoping to spend it with you.”
Rome’s gentleness patched the holes in my heart.
“Not she ready to shoot somebody at eight in the morning. Girl, open this fucking door.” Roulette was such a problem that I didn’t think she noticed it anymore.
“That’s why we’re not getting in right there.” Range sighed.
“Does she not know we shoot back?” Rugger asked.
“Please, ladies,” Roaman begged.
“I have to use the bathroom, Royce. Open up.” I could hear the anxiousness in Rather’s tone.
I headed toward the door with my mother still on the line.
“You knew, huh?”
“I tried staying awake. My eyes were too tired.”
“I’ll call you later. They’ve made it and we have so much catching up to do.”
“I love you, baby, in every lifetime.”
“Wait for me if you make it there first. I’ll come and find you.”
I ended the call and pulled the door open. Simultaneously, I fell into my sisters’ arms. There was no place like home.
“Who sent you?” I pulled back, adjusting the skimpy clothing I was wearing.
As the words escaped my mouth, Rome opened a greeting card with black hearts covering the front. Baylee Paper Co. was written on the back.
“My Baby,” Rome paused, taking a peek over the card.
“Though the next few days will be the most complicated days of my life, I couldn’t go without reminding you how easy you have made this journey. From the moment you stopped in front of my whip, I knew the woman you were. I knew who you belonged to. And, I knew where you belonged.
“Now that you’re here, I promise not to forget all you’re sacrificing to be here. That includes time with the people you love most. I admired the relationship you have with your siblings. I’m no stranger to what distance does to the heart.
“So, I sent for your people. And, with their help, I’ve scheduled a day full of pampering for all of you. Should you get tired of the AMEX, the feisty one has a gift for you. I love you. See you at eight. Ishmael.”
Roulette held open her LV duffle. Bills were stuffed inside. My face parted with a smile.
“I like him, Sister,” she proclaimed.
“For other reasons, but–” Rugger admitted, pushing her way inside.
“Well, he’s sweet. I like that,” Rome added.
“Come inside! I need to do something with myself and then we can head out.”
My sisters filed inside. My heart was full. Ishmael had a way with words. He also had a way with me. It was the reason he could have his way with me.
I can’t believe I let her talk me into this.
I tugged at the red dress. Though it was beautiful, it was bold. And, it had Roulette’s name written all over it. Letting her choose my dinner dress was a foolish mistake.
“Hey. Hey,” Ishmael called out, stopping inches shy of his mother’s front door.
He pulled me closer, placing a hand on my neck. His fingers laid against my jaw. His hands were massive. I was putty in them.
“You look lovely, my baby. If you tug any harder, you’ll rip the dress off and we’ll never make it inside. I’ll have to have you right here. Right now.”
“I let Roulette talk me into this dress,” I complained.
“And I’m glad you did. It’s stunning. You’re stunning, love.”
I didn’t doubt it. But, red wasn’t my color. It was hers.
“Thank you.”
“Now, come on. My stomach is touching my back.”
He kissed my forehead and then my cheek. I closed my eyes, embracing for impact. When his lips touched mine, I forced myself to disengage. Or, he’d be right. We wouldn’t make it inside. I’d have to have him. Right here. Right now.
Hand-in-hand, we entered the modest home. The savoriness of the prepared dishes spread my nostrils. My mouth watered as we approached the dining room where three seats were already occupied. Feet shuffled as everyone stood, acknowledging our presence.